Surface covering and assembly thereof



s. A. OCHS SURFACE COVERING AND ASSEMBLY. THEREOF Filed oct. 9, 1959 3 sheets-sheet 1 vizi l Y l\ll wl llllllll a ililu ,lllllllllnh INVEN'TOR i' Jal/zeg fs' BY ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1941.

s. A. ocHs SURFACE COVERING AND ASSEMBLY THEREOF 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1939 4F u :5-...: :515W

Dec. 2, 1941. s A, ocHs SURFACE COVERING AND ASSEMBLY THEREOF 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. 9, 1939 llllll! lll K l.

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Patented Dec. 2, 1941 ysimmer: ycovrznnvc. AND ASSEMBLY 1 'rnEnEoF Y Sidney A. Ochs, .New York, N. Y., assignonby mesne assignments, to Carbide V,and Carbon Chemicals Corporation, New York, N. Y., a cor- :poration of New York Application octoberk 9, 1939, serial llo'olaims. (ci. zur-5f) i t This invention relates to weather and insula- Y tion surface coverings. particularly to'improvements in such surface coverings for V sidewall and the like applications. An objectof the invention is to provide a surface covering comprising courses of composite elements, including base members of relatively stiff insulation material and weather resistant cover piecestherefor, both being capableof easy and rapid assembly with ay minimum of fas-A teners for securing the same, and capable of pro Y ducingQwhen laid, an eflicient weather surface covering f substantial insulation value.

' Another object of the Ainvention is the provision ofv a siding covering comprisingcourses of insulation members and loose, preformed, cover pieces to be assembled to said irisulationxnem-A bers, whereinthe same fastening means may be utilized to secure a pair of said insulation mem-V bers of adjacentcourses anda cover piece covering one of said members, and may itself be protected from Vthe weather by the cover piece for the second of 'said pairof insulation members.

A further object of the linvention is the provision of'a surface coveringconstruction comej Vprising courses of overlapping insulation mem'- Ybers in which the lapping faces of the members in the overlap between courses are spaced apart to provide a predetermined space to subsequently ness of the cover piece in the portionto be lnserted in said space.

A still further object is to provide an insulation member having greater thickness at its ,lower` edge portion than at its upper edge portion, and having a recess at the edge of greater thickness formed by va rabbet or groove, which i's substantially coextensive therewith, arid'whicli Another object is` to provide a relativelystii 50 base oi', insulation material yand a loose, pre-,-Y 'formed cover piece therefor, i the cover piece having. ahook-like marginalV lip andthe base having a lip` including astep toY receive the lip of the cover piece when'the two are assembled.

-A furthenobject is to provide a cover piece for insulation members having .at least itsrupper marginal portion treatedr tostiifenthevsame,

to facilitate assembly'ofV said marginal portion i in the space provided between a pair of insula-V tion members when' laid.

Another object ofk the inventionv is to provider an insulation-'covering utilizing metallic cover pieces requiring Vno mailing.

These and other :and related insulation and cover members andnovel forma-y ;tion of 4surface-coverings, will more readily'ape' pear or be Vsuggested to'those skilled inthe art by the following detailed description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein I have -presented certain instances of adaptation of my invention as will Fig.- 3 is a sectional elevation taken Vat of Fig. 1. v Y Y Fig. 4 is-a cross-sectional view illustrating the struction.

invention as appliedjto amodied form of con- Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views show-5 Yfurther modifications applying the invention.v

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional view of a surface covering using a novel form'of cover piece.

Figs. 10,v 11 and '1-2 are views of onev manner of making thecover piece ofl Fig. 8.

' Referring tol Fig'sfl to 11 inclusive, wherein similar numerals indicate similark parts fof the disclosed coverings, I0 is a base member preferably ofV stii or rigid characteristics, to be cov` ered, and -preferably`compsing a body'of compressed or cemented vegetable and/or minerall fibrous 'materiaL for instancefbagasse, wood. substantially -pure 'cellulose fiber, paperstock, sugar cane fiber, asbestos, mineral wool, animal hair, and others, usually usedeither alone or in combination, or adapted to be used in the' making of products generally known to'those skilled in the art,-as wallboard orfins'ulating board. ,One-form ofcommercialproduct'of this Y character which I may use in the presentvinvention ismarketed under the,nameCelotexy y objects'of myl linvention, with.A particular regard to the novel the c specific details.

base may be acement-asbestos composition or may be a bitumen mastic having scrap materials as added fillers.

The fibrous base may be of the same structure throughout or may comprise a plurality of separate sheet-like plies bonded face to face by suitable means, for instance, cement or staples, to form an integral base structure. The base may also be rendered waterproof and/or fire-resistant by treatment with suitable agents, such as silicates and bitumens, but is preferably treated with a synthetic resin composition of the phenol aldehyde or vinyl types. adapted to produce substantially water-insoluble and impervious films upon deposit from someone of the same m suitable volatile solvents. The treatment may be applied to one or more faces and edges of the base structure, or may even extend throughout the same, and may be effected by coating, saturating, or impregnating'. If the base is made of several plies, one or more, preferably that to be positioned next to the cover piece, may be treated, thus assuring maximum retention of unfilled voids. The treatment may also-be confined to certain' sections of the base, for instance, to-the portion to back up weather joints of further covering material. Y

' The base covering member l2 preferably comprises a water-resistant foundation layer and a surface layer comprising a rigidlfying composition. The foundation layer maybe a layer of composition roong generally comprising a ilexible felted fibrous base of Aany of the fibrous materials heretofore mentioned, impregnated or saturated with a lowm'elting Point asphalt and coated with a further bituminous and/or resinous layer, also of the types heretofore mentloned. Such material is also usually surfaced with a layer of individual granules, for'instance, of slate, brick, tile, or cement, to ornament the same; and these are usually partially embedded in and bonded tothe adhesive layer. Composition material of this type mayv also include a surface rigldifying layer, preferably a hydraulic cement, for' instance, ahigh aluminate cement compositicn, but may be a layer of synthetic resin composition which, whenhardened, produces a stiff rigldifying nlm or layer. It will be understood that coatings of materials may extend over the whole or part of the cover piece, dependent upon the extent to which rigidiflcail, having inner face II andedge face Il and forming a rear lip or projection 20. The lip il is also provided with a step 22 formed by cutting a shallow recess or rabbet in the inner face I l of saldlip. The recess in the base is made wider' V than the thickness of the base lat the upper end.

The purpose of this will hereinafter be made more evident. The base may extend the full length of the course or may constitute a plurality of substantially. abutted or lapped sections .of a length suitable for handling. l

The cover piece I2 is a preformed member independent of the base, and in Fig. 2 comprises a body portion 2l, substantially the depth of the base I0 and. a retroverted portion of hook-like character formed to fit the lip Il and comprising a section 2l bent normal to the body portion and an upwardly extending lip 2l of a depth to 'seat in the step 22. Obviously, the cover member may be of the materials heretofore described. which, if of non-metallic materials, will preferably be rigidiiied at least at the upper marginal part of the body portion and around the bend of the retroverted portion to facilitate handling and 2 bases being provided with a projecting face to seat against the support. The supportmay, for instance. be the boarding 32 held by studding Il, although, any suitable foundation for supporting the base units may be employed. When one course has been laid, the` next course of base members will be positioned such that the upper ends of thebases of one course engage the recesses of the bases of the adjacent higher or lower courseof bases .as the case may be. In this step the upper edge.V of the bases will abut the inner face 3l of the base recess, and the rear face Il of the base will seat against the y face 42 of the lip 2l. .The bases may then be of dissimilar metal.

The cover pieces are assembled starting with the lowest course of bases and working upwardly, the upper ends of the body portions of the A recess of groove-like character is cover pieces being abutted against the outer faces Il of the bases and slid upwardly into the recesses of the overlying base members untilthe lip 2l of the retroverted portion of the cover piece engages the step 22 ofthe lip Il of the base being covered. Thus the base recess should be sufficiently larger than the upper end of the base to allow for the thickness of the cover'piece at its upper end. It is preferredthat a slight forcing action be necessary in assembling the cover piece such that a frictional contact beobtained, but it will be understood that a slightly oversized space may be utilized without difficulty. It is also preferred that the step 22 be of sufficient size such that the lip 28 of the cover piece may be assembled over the base lip ilV withoutl dimculty and with clearance for the adjacent face of the underlying cover piece. Where it is de sired to avoid the step il of the base members, the base lip may be tapered as shown by the dotted line 4l in Fig. 2 such that a slight wedge effect is obtained by the cover piece. The former gcliynstruction, however, produces a better assem- Upon positioning the cover `pieces in the manner described, fastening means suchas nails Il may then be secured into the lip il of the overlying base member and this be driven through said lip to connect with the underlying cover piece. the upper end.of the base member' covered by the cover piece, and the lip I6. It preferably passes through these parts into the support; VIt is, of course, desirable that the vnails pass through the lip I4 at a position clearing the upper edges ofthe lips 28 of thev cover pieces.`

Preferably they will be placed Just adjacent this lip so that they pass through the upper end of the underlying base a maximum distance from its edge 36. lThe lips I'Il should therefore be' of sulcient length. Thus, by a single'row of nails the cover pieces are anchored in position andY without having such'fasteners driven against the cover piece material where they might Ypuncture* the same, the lip Il of the base material providing a broad surface for clamping the margin of the cover piece. Moreover, the base is'thus further secured at an important point. Upon applying the next overlying course of cover pieces theheads of the nails 50 will be covered and protected thereby from the weather and in applying these members the heads of the nails do'not interfere withfassembly. It is to be Vnoted that if the bases are laid working from the bottom of thesurface,it is possible, if desired, to position the cover pieces and secure them as this workV proceeds. Obviously, this makes' applicationlof lthe surface covering both simple and rapid. It

should also be evident thatthe cover piecesare free to adjust themselvesvfor changes in expansion and contraction, and'without buckling.

Where the cover piecesv arel 'used in short lengths, it is preferred that a backing -strip 52 (see Figs. 1 and 3) be provided, particularlyv wherethe base members'have not been treated'to be water impervious. In this manner, rain water is lprevented from penetrating into the base material. The joint strips 52 may be assembled into table notches provided somewhere between the endsof the base members. It will, however, be

, understood that suchv pieces may be provided at the ends of thebase members; also, that'v the bese members, instead of abutting,l may form a lap joint. Y

It is to be further noted that the base members in this structure may, as heretofore stated, be

Y The lower end of the lip is rounded to facilitate assembly of the cover piece lI2. and to avoid thev the'lip is also provided with'a step 22 formed by rabbeting the lip I4 on its inner facefportion.

making Vof .sharp bends in preforn'iing such cover members. The base members III maybe laid in courses starting from the top or bottom,`as.may be desired, they upper inner face 38 of the base recess and the upper edge 36 of the adjacent 'base member being abutted to register the courses. When this occurs, the lip Il of oneA member overlaps the 'adjacent lower base meme ber to form a weather covering ofthe insulation members themselves. These base members, as previously/indicated indescribing Fig. 2 may also be secured by a single line of securing means 44.

Subsequently, the cover pieces are moved'into position with therupper ends thereof inserted between the inner face I6 of the lip Il andthe outer face 46 of the base member I0, it being noted that the recess at-the lower edge of the base member is made of such depth as to permit assembly of thisportion ofthe cover piece al1 asV described with respect to Fig. 2. lAsfalso previ# ously indicated with respect to Fig; 2,Y upon assembly,v of a cover member a further securing means such as a nail 50 is driven through` the `lip I4, passing through the upper end of the made4 a laminated structure, for instance, as'indicatedfby the'dot and dash line 54 in Fig. 2; also that in assembling the component parts of the surface covering of Figs. irland 2, registration of all parts is assured, and that no chalkA lines orv guesswork are necessary in accomplishing asseml dbly.

In Figs. 4 through 8 inclusive, I have illustrated various modiilcatiosof my invention, including .further features yof joint construction between adjacent co/urseLof composite units and involv- /ing @modificati/onf of the base and cover piece coxtructionfig-2. 'The differences only'will be pointed out in the following description, but it will be understood that all other features of "construction of these parts as described vwith respect to the umts of Figs.V 1 or 2, may, one ory more, be included thereimparticularly as relates to the materials and treatment thereof and the means of obtaining a waterproof covering, where the base and cover members are utilized in short lengths. In Fig. 4, the'invention is illustrated as' applied to a flat boarding surface in which' no air spaces are-provided behind the base insulation members. 'Ihe base I0! is preferably of tapered section and isof greater thickness at the lower or butt edge than atthe upper :marginal` portion of such base. The lower'edge portion of the base is provided with a recess adjacent its rear face, forming a; front lip I4. Asin Fig; 2-,

cover member `and through the upper marginal portion ofthe lunderlyingbase; such means being covered bythe next overlying cover mem- In Fig. 5, base members III and cover pieces I2 of somewhatk similar character to that-in Fig. 3

are"illus trated.- 'I'he base members differ from those in Fig'. 3in that theymay be of uniform section throughoutiand rare illustrated "as applied to a siding having bevel faces offset from `one Vanother in step fashion. VThe thickness of the basel members in this constructionl is substantially equal to the Vheight lof'the steps or offset, less the! thicknessof the cover membenso that a Space may be provided in the lap! between adjacentVV courses of base'members to 'facilitate .assembly ofthe coverv pieces, in the manner described with respect to Fig. 2. It should'be noted that recessing or VVchamfering of the base members is onlyi required for the cover piece lip -28,-the laplbetweenV adjacent bases. being accomplished* by making them of greaterdepth'than the face' of theclapboards so that each base member over@ Y laps thej adjacent base and cover memberof the underlying course. Y

The base members I0 in Fig. 6 are of similar constructionto that of Fig. 4but diier inthat the vlip I4 omits the notchingprovided for a retroverted cover member. `Inthe instant modification, the cover member has its 'marginal portheir positions'againstthe base members, each is` providedjwith a crimp -or rib 56,'adjacent its upper edge just' below where the edge I8 of the next overlying base will 4be located. The shoul-V A der thus formed acts as :an abutment for the lip or ange of the next overlyingcover piece, .and also facilitatesits assembly'. Of course, the basesl w and cover pieces may beV assembled as described with respect to Fig.- 3, with a-'minimum of nail'- ing, withvr definite registration of all parts and: a 'Y weather-tight surfacing of both the base members and the cover members. The cover piece I2 in Fig. 6 is one particularly adapted for a sheet metal construction.

'Ihe construction in Fig. 7 is similarto that in Fig. 6, with the difference that the cover pieces I2 omit the rib feature 56, .and have the lips thereof secured against the lower face of the lip Il of the bases as by staples .'illv or other suitable means. Y

The bases and cover pieces in Fig. 8 are in their basic constructions similar to those of Fig. 5. However, the assembly in Fig. 7 is somewhat d!- ferent and is particularly adapted to the use of metal cover pieces and enables the applicator to dispense with the fasteners 50 described with respect to Fig. 5. As in Fig. 5, the base members I are provided with lips i4, which are engaged by the retroverted portions 28 of the cover pieces I2, thus holdingrthe lower end of these cover pieces in position. However, the upper ends of the cover pieces instead of being flat, are provided along their full width, with outwardly struck ilanges 60 of short height, which are slit at two or more points to provide tongues 62, the latter being bent down in assembly of the cover piece so as to lock the coverpiece with its underlying base member. The position of the tongues 62 will preferably substantially coincide with the upper edge of the base member so jthat the tongues 62 may be forceddown over the base edge to produce a relatively tight assembly with that member. Of course, suitable recesses may be provided in the base members, if desired, to

receive the tongues 52. The ange B0 will preferably occur in the lap between adjacent'courses of bases. It will be observed that the cover pieces should be applied immediately after mounting the base members with fasteners M.

A further feature of the construction in Fig. 8 is the use of the flange 60 as a means of registering the next overlying course of base members and likewise to provide a moisture stop for the adjacent courses. It will be noted that the under face of the base members is provided with narrow slots 64 of sumcient size to freely ilt over the struck-up flange I0. In this manner, the

base members are held in positionwhen the next overlying course of base members are secured as'by fasteners 44 to the support. In connection with clapboard sidings, the upper end of the base members will be positioned slightly belowA the drip edge ofthe 'clapboards However,` the members may be applied against a flat support. utilizingV construction permits use of a relatively thin sheet` of material.

In Fig. 9, a construction is illustrated having some oi the features of that in Fig. 8. The cover members in rthis instance are also preferably of metal and are provided with a lower. retroverted portion of hook-like character similar to that' in Fig. 2, formed by a section 26 and lip 28. In this case. however, the lip 28 does not fit over the base butfits over the flange," of ya loop 88 formed by bending the upper marginal portion of fthe cover piece body with the extreme portion of the loop'having a knob-like character. The end of the bent portion isv adjacent .the outer-"face of the cover piece and forms a short, nat flange 66 adjacent the loop portion. This iiange is preferably spaced from the body portionof the cover piece a distance to allow for interlock with frlctional engagement, of the upwardly turned lip 28 of an overlying cover piece. The base members may be uniform in section and require no lips of any kind. The lower end of the baseat the rear face is provided with a groove or notch 10 co-extensive with the base and usually of` right angle character. The upper portion of the base member at itsfront face is provided with a similar groove 12,. In assembly, a base memberis positioned and secured by a single line of nails Il. A cover piece is then positioned such that its hook-like lip 2l engages the ilange 68 of the loop of the underlying cover member and such that its own knob portion snaps into thefgroove 12 at the upper margin of its base. Obviously,l the base member will have its lower groove 10 positioned over the knob of the loop 6I of the underlying cover piece, so that it will be registered in position for nailing.

In` laying the first course of members, the hook-like portion of the cover pieces will generally be either omitted or so shapedas to directly engage the butts of the base members. Obviously, the construction in Fig. 9 also dispenses with fasteners for the` cover pieces. The knob portions actnot Vonly to form a weather-tight joint but also ,to register both the cover pieces and base members of the next overlying course. The cover pieces may be of simple construction, as can the base members. If desired, the cover pieces may be assembled as in the previous constructions with the joints protected from the weather by suitable backing members. However, in Figs. 10, 1l and 12. I have shown a cover piece for the construction of Fig- 9, in which the longitudinal ends of the cover members may overlap and form a weather-tight joint by means of a novel rib construction, each side marginal portion of the cover pieces being provided with outwardly pressed ribs 'Il and 16, which are of interfitting character. The upper and lower edge portions areotherwise ofsimilarconstruction to that illustrated in Fig. 9.

Fromthe above description of; my invention, it will be seen that'I have produced novel surface covering constructions comprising base members and preformed cover pieces. which coverings are readily laidV with a minimum of time and labor, and require few `fasteners.` `I'hese coverings are not to be confused with constructions involving the laying of wood `boarding and ilexible sheet covering material that is formed over the boarding on thejob. In such constructions, handling of the sheet-cover material is cumbersome; also,`

the sheets must be alined and nailed independent of theboarding. The present constructions dispensel with .such independent nailing and with any nail heads in the lap of themembers, thus assuring a proper assembly of adjacent lapping portions of the courses and good weather-tight joints. Moreover, in the present invention where metal` cover members are utilized, it will be apparent that they may be secured without making any contact with nail heads and any electrolytic action between `covering material and nails may be avoided. It will be understood that many changes vin the exemplified constructions will suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, I desire my invention to be construed including all equivalents and as broadly as the claims may allow. It will also be understood that the drawings, particularly as re- "I claim: f

1. A surface coveringy comprising insulation ""members and cover pieces therefor, said insulation members being arrangedin courses with the members in a course having an edge portion overlying the edge of a member in an adjacentcourse to form a lap and having an opposite edge portion underlying an edge of a member of another adjacent course to form anothetrl 1ap;`

means separating the adjacent' portions in said laps between members' of adjacent courses to provide a predetermined space to receive an edge portion of a cover piece; the cover pieces in the courses overlying the members in the same course, and the individual cover pieces having a preformed edge portion engaged with an edge portion of a member it overlies, which is the overlying edge portion of the lap between said member and a member in one of said adjacent courses of members and having another'pcrtion nesting in the space provided by the said lap between the said other edge portion of the member it overlies and the ysaid overlying edge Yportion of amember lof theothenofsaid adjacent courses of Vmembers; and fastening means securing said cover pieces in place, said fastening means passing through the nesting portion of the cover piece and connecting the member it overlies with the member of said adjacent course of members providing the'space for said nesting portion, and a cover piece of the latter members covering said fastening means. Y

2. A surface covering comprising insulation members and cover pieces therefor, said insulation members having projecting lips at their butt edges and being arranged in courses vwith the lips of members in one course overlying the upper edges of members of an adjacent course to form a lap, and with the upper edge portionsA of said overlying members underlying the lips of members of another adjacent course to form another lap; the adjacent faces forming said laps being xedly spaced from each other a distance to allow for insertion of the edge portion of a cover piece; the cover pieces in the courses overlying the members in the same courses, and the individual' cover pieces having a preformed edge portion engaged with the lip of a member it overlies'and having another portion nesting in the space'provided by the lap between the upper edge portion of the member it overlies. and the said overlying lip of a member in the adjacentcourse; and fastening means securing said coverfpieces in place, said fastening means passing through the nesting portion of the cover piece, and connecting the member it overlies with the lip of the member overlying said nesting portion and the cover piece of the latter member covering said fastening means. f

3. A surface lcovering comprising insulation members andcover pieces therefor, said insulation members having front and rear lips along their lower edges separated by recesses, and the upper portion of said members' being of less thickness than the width of the recess between said lips, said members being arranged in courses with the upper edge portions of membersV in one course inserted in the recesses of the lower edge vportions of members of an adjacent course and with theirown lower edge recesses engaged with the upper edge portions of members of another adjacent course of members; the said upper edge portions of the members' abutting the rear lips of the membersof the adjacent course and providing a predetermined space between said portions andthe front lips of the said abuttedmem-` bers suilicient to receive the upper edge portion of a cover piece; said cover pieces in the courses overlying the members in thesame course and theindividual cover pieces having `a preformed edgeportion engaged with the front lip of a member it overlies and having another portion nesting in the space provided between the upper edge portion'of the member `it overlies and the frontl lip of ther engaging member of the adjacent course; and-fastening means and securing said cover pieces 1in'p1ace, said fastening means" passingthrough the nesting portion of the cover Y the overlapping member of the adjacent courseV piece and connecting` the Ymember it overlies with' the front and-"rear lips of the adjacent member with which it is engaged and the cover piece of the latter member covering said fastening means.

4. A-'surface covering as claimed in claim A1 vwherein the preformed edge portion of the cover and cover pieces therefor, said 'members being j arranged in overlapping courses with the lowerY edge'portions of the members in one course overlying the upper edge portions of the members of an adjacent course, said members each having a thickness less than the offset between adjacent faces of the boarding and each course of members abutting a bevel face of the boarding and Y projecting beyond `the shoulder formed by it with the next lower face whereby to provide a predetermined space in the lap between adjacent courses of members to receive an edge portion of a cover piece; said cover pieces overlying theV membersin the courses, and the individual cover pieces having a preformed edge portion engaged with the lower edge portion of the member it overlies and having another portion nesting'in the lap between the member it'overlies and the overlapping member of the adjacent course of members; and fastening means securing said cover pieces in' place, said fastening means passing through the nesting portion of the cover piece and connecting the member it overlies with of members and the cover piece of the said member of the adjacent course covering said ing means. y

6. A surface covering comprising insulation members and cover pieces'therefor, said insulation members eachhaving a tapered section and having a cut-out at the rear face of their butt edge portions forming a front edge lip, said cutout having a depth normal to the rear face of the member greater than the thickness of the member at its upper edge portion; said members being arranged in courses with their rear faces abutting the underlying support and with the lips of members of one course overlying the upper edge portions of members in an yadjacent', course toform a lap, and with their upper edge portions underlying the lips of members of another adjacent course to form another lap; the diiferen'ce fasten- [j between the depth of said cut-out of said members and the thickness of the upper edge portion of the members being such that the adjacent faces forming said laps are spaced from each other a predetermined distance to allow for insertion of the edge portion of a cover piece; said icover pieces overlying the members in the courses, and th'e individual cover pieces having a preformed edge portion engaged with the lip of a member it overlies and having another portion nesting in the space provided by the lap between the upper edge portion of the member it overlies and the overlying lip of a member in the adjacent course; and fastening means securing said cover pieces in place, said fastening means l.

passing through the nesting portion of the cover piece and connecting the member it overlies with the lip of the memberv overlying said nesting portion, and the cover piece of the latter member covering said fastening means.

'1. A surface covering member comprising a body of sheet-like material having front and rear faces and upper and lower edges, a rearwardly projecting flange at the lower edge of the body and a surface projection on the front face ofthe body spaced from the upper edge thereof,esaid projection forming a shoulder with the front face of the body between it and the upper edge of the body, said shoulder being substantially parallel to the lower edge of the body. L Y

St A surface covering comprising insulation members and cover pieces therefor, said insulation members having upper and lower edges and being arranged in courses with their lower edges overlapping the upper edges of members of an adjacent lower course of members and with their upper edges overlapped by the lower edges of the members of the adjacent higher course of members; said cover pieces having front and rear faces and upper and lower edges, the lower edges of the cover pieces having a rearwardly projecting flange and the front face having a surface projection spaced from the upper edge forming a shoulder with said face substantially paralleling the lower edge of the cover piece; said cover pieces overlying the members in a course with their upper edge portions inserted in the lap between the members they cover and that of the adjacent higher course of members and with their shoulders positioned subjacent the lower edges of said higher course of members and having their flange portions extending 'over the lower edges of the members they cover and substantially abutting the said shoulders of the cover pieces of the adjacent lower course of members.

9. A surface covering as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover pieces are surfaced with a substance rigidifying the portion thereof in the lap between courses of members.

10. A surface covering as claimed in claim l, wherein the members are secured to a wooden support and the cover piece fastening means are anchored in said support.

` SIDNEY A. OCHS. 

